RUNNERS from all over England raced in record numbers yesterday at the 23rd Redcar Half Marathon.

Stephen Hepples, from Loftus Athletics Club, east Cleveland, powered across the finishing line to win the run, ahead of a field of 1,300 competitors. The fastest woman was Louise Gardner, from Lancaster.

Britain's most successful paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, was pipped at the post on her adopted home turf of Redcar. She finished the women's race in 51 minutes, 24 seconds, behind wheelchair competitor Shelley Woods, who finished in a time of 47 minutes and five seconds.

Overall winner of the wheelchair section was Jason Richards, with a time of 46 minutes, 59 seconds.

Teams of runners came from across the country, including London, Blackpool, Newcastle and Gateshead.

Jane Hierons, events organiser for the half marathon, the second to be sponsored by Liberata, said: "We obviously got record numbers taking part. The weather was fantastic and it is the consensus that it was the best yet for atmosphere.

"Maybe the weather had something to do with it, but Tanni has her own big following. It is also good for training, with the London Marathon in the next couple of weeks. It has been a brilliant, excellent day."

The race is the longest-running half marathon in the Tees Valley.

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The number of entries for this year's half marathon is testament to its huge popularity."

* More pictures and a full list of runners will appear in The Northern Echo's free Local Heroes supplement on Friday.